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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
April 07, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Reports have been solid for everything at CJ. Crappie fishing has been excellent with both boat and bank anglers having success. A good selection of soft plastics like a 2” Keitech Easy Shiner, old school crappie tubes and Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimons are great choices from both boat and bank. As the schools start to move in closer to the banks, the fish can sometimes be a little jumpy and prone to spooking. A small slip float system can allow you to keep the boat away from the fish. Trout are biting as well and have been caught from the banks around Black Sands and the Airforce Marina with nightcrawlers and powerbait. Orange is the color of choice - unless you ask the next guy…then it’s pink. But his buddy says its green…I think you get the idea 🤣 Confidence is the best bait! Smallies have been eating the IRR Tungsten Finesse jigs, 3.3” Keitechs, spinnerbaits and Spro Rk Crawlers. Largies have been caught flipping soft plastics, spinnerbaits and glide baits. Saw a really good one last week caught on a Bucca Trick Shad. For either species - no need to be deep and water temps are right for spawning behaviors. Sturgeon fishing has been “as good as I have ever seen it” according to a really good friend and customer. Sturgeon candy, squid and other cut baits are all you need.

Boise River: Flows are starting to drop but water is still pretty high and off color. Just not a spot I’m targeting yet.

Boise River at Glenwood Bridge NR Boise ID

Monitoring location 13206000 is associated with a Stream in Ada County, Idaho. Current conditions of Discharge and Gage height are available. Water data back to 1938 are available online.

waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/13206000/#dataTypeId=continuous-00065-0&period=P7D&showMedian=false

Brownlee: Water is up 1’ from last week, currently sitting at 2047. At that level, the Spring Rec ramp is usable. Brownlee for bass is fishing really well! Lots of shallow bass being caught on jerkbaits and cranks. Couple bait suggestions would be the Spro Rk Crawler in Spring Craw or Red River Bug, Nishines Chippawa Crank in darn near any color, the Idaho Rod and Reel Perch Jerkbait (CRUSHED THIS WEEKEND!!) and either a Lucky Craft Staysee 90 or a Nishine Eerie 95 or 115. No way I’m fishing Brownlee without an IRR Finesse Jig! Crappie remain tough to catch but multiple reports from tournament anglers catching really large ones on cranks and jerks while fishing for bass. Reports from anglers with livescope has the crappie schools in 10-18’ of water, suspended over offshore boulders or on steeper points/bluffs still. Trolling Flicker Shads and Shad Raps could be a good idea while keeping your eyes on your electronics for schools that you could get on top of. The off colored water will help in this case. Dropping right into the school with a jigging rap is a way that I have had lots of success with. And someone always emails to tell me I’m lying - but I catch them REGULARLY on 3.3” Keitechs while bass fishing…big ones.

Snake River: Pay attention to fluctuating water levels of you’re out on a prop! Fishing has been good for both bass and catfish. For bass, IRR Tungsten Jig is a must. I’d have a jerkbait and a crankbait as well. Grab a shallower diving Spro Rk Crawler and the Idaho Rod and Reel perch jerkbait - you’ll catch em. Not a bad idea to have a Senko on a nail and a Keitech is rarely a bad call on the river. Sleeper bait to throw right now is the 5” Bass Mafia Daingerous. Catfish have been biting and it’s about time! Cut baits, night crawlers and kool aid dyed chicken are what I have been told are working.

Wilson Springs: Good catches at Wilson last week for a couple of families that shop with us regularly. Simple powerbait rigs are consistent performers on these stocker trout. If you want a more active way of fishing - Levi likes the Dynamic Lures HD Trout lures and I’m a fan of the Ultralight Heavyweights jigs.

Lake Lowell: Not open for motorized boats just yet. Good reports from anglers on the dam and from other bank locations. I would have a Chatterbait and a Senko! I like Black and Blue as well as just white for my Chatterbait and many of you know that like the Sexy Shad color in either the Yum Dinger or Yamamoto Senko. Really cool bait for any hard bottomed areas at Lowell is the Z Man Gobius…give that a try!

Motorized and Non-motorized boating are allowed April 15 to September 30. Human-powered boats are allowed 200 yards in front of the Upper and Lower Dams between October 1 and April 14. The rest of the lake is set aside for migrating and wintering wildlife.

Cascade Reservoir: I am not hearing much and that makes me nervous to report…best to call Freedom Outdoors and Tackle Toms to get a current report.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: Bass are biting and crappie are starting to. As the weather warms, I expect those crappie to really start biting. Trolling has been effective for the few crappie anglers I have spoken to as well as casting small plastics on 1/8oz heads. With the water being a bit off color, throw the Chatterbait Mini! These are 1/8 and 1/16oz chatterbaits with a small soft plastic minnow. They absolutely catch panfish - and bass will eat sneak up on them every now and then as well! For the bass, look towards the banks with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and shallow diving cranks.

Owyhee River: Fluctuating water levels…not where I would be right now.

Duck valley: Good reports starting to trickle in from Duck Valley. If you haven’t been, priority 1 is to check the wind! If you plan on towing a boat and trolling, Flicker Shads rule here. I like anything with purple in it. Small personal floatation devices are great here - float tubes, pontoon boats, kayaks, etc - AWESOME! If you like fly fishing, trolling leech, scud and damsel patterns will likely get you bit. From the bank, powerbait and nightcrawlers are good choices.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Some reports of Kokanee being caught with darker dodgers and hoochies. Some trout as well. Curious to see how much impact lowering the reservoir for repairs had on the kokanee population. Only time will tell…

Arrowrock Reservoir: Still catching quite a few trout and Kokanee are starting to show up. Water levels are low - not sure if that is impacting the kokes or not!!

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Lots of kokes being caught although Alan from Kokabow Tackle has noticed that the last couple days have been pretty tough - could be the weather change…fish have been on top and several dodger colors have been working. Pick your favorite or do what I do and start with a light and a dark. Ice is completely off the reservoir. There are issues at the ramp by the dam. I don’t have all the details and in an attempt to not advance false info - sounds like there was an altercation and some level of law enforcement is now only allowing 10 boats to launch. Curlew is not open. I am doing all I can to get more info on this!!

QUICK THANK YOU TO ALAN WITH KOKABOW TACKLE FOR THE KOKANEE REPORTS TODAY!! THIS GUY JUST CONTINUES TO WORK SO HARD TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CATCH THESE FISH!

If you would like to book a trip with Alan, he is guiding through Fish and Fur Outfitters. Cost is $250 per seat - 2 person minimum and I can tell from first hand experience - if you want to learn how to get in the game - its worth every penny! He guides on Anderson and Payette Lake!

Local Ponds: So many trout in the ponds right now! Check the stocking report and head out! Look shallow at the bass ponds around you…I am seeing bed fish in some of them…try a texas rigged white creature bait or a drop shot on a really small leader for these fish.

Huge Spring Restock, Spring Events, Link and Imperium Rods Selling Out, Tatula/Aftco Shirt Offer

Lots of product coming in over the next couple of days! Keep an eye on sour social media for announcements!
Take a look at the new IRR Tungsten Underspins!! Super Clean, razor sharp!
If you are looking to upgrade or add to your rod/reel arsenal, Daiwa is offering a free Aftco hooded fishing shirt with the purchase of a Tutula Rod or Reel.
Stock on the Idaho Rod and Reel Link and Imperium rods is dwindling. I’m both excited about that and a little freaked out 🤣 ! I am working on getting out of stock and low stock models back in the shop but it really is a huge undertaking for a small shop. Good inventory of Heavy Casting - but that will change significantly in a month or so when we start flipping, frogging, dragging jigs and Carolina rigs. Inventory on the Jerkbait and Medium Casting (moving bait rod) is VERY LOW. Medium light spinning and light spinning is low. Keitech Rod inventory is low. The ultra light panfish rod is low.
I am EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE a new 1/4 oz size in the Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Series of jigs! If you are looking for an ultra finesse presentation and/or are fishing with a spinning rod - I think you are going to love this new bait! This jig was the #1 Selling Bait in the SHOP last year - and for good reason!
The TVB Bass Fishing Club is holding a raffle to raise money for their club. They are raffling off a Browning X-Bolt 6.5 PRC 26” Barrel with Tri-Pod. Tickets are $20/piece or 6 for $20 and only 200 tickets will be sold! Can be seen in the shop!!
Idaho Bass Masters Club is raffling of a Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison and 300 rounds of ammo with all of the proceeds going to fund their youth tournament prizes. Last year this tourney had over 60 kiddos!! Tickets are $20 a piece and 6 for $100.
New and In-Stock this week: $4000 worth of Keitech just showed up!, Z Man Plastics and Chatterbaits, Spro Rk Crawlers, Rod Glove Rod Sleeves, Rod Glove Reel Sleeves, Kokabow Tackle and Dodgers, Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Products, Idaho Rod and Reel Free Rig Weights, Spunk Shads and Kamikaze Swimon Chatterbait Trailers
NEW HATS ON THE WAY!! 3 New Designs!
Bait and equipment reviews coming…along with some How To’s….
Is there something you’d like to see in the shop? Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize.

Worth Watching

22 Seconds of Saltwater Insanity!

Technically Speaking...

Knots! Been tying a lot in the shop so here is a list of a few of my faves!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Closures!!

Attention anglers: Spring fishing closures on multiple Magic Valley Region fisheries are in effect

In the Magic Valley Region, the Big Wood River and some portions of Silver Creek, two popular fishing streams are closed during the early spring months. The entirety of the Big Wood River will be closed from April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend 2025. This fishery will reopen on May 24, 2025. The section of Silver Creek from its mouth upstream to the bridge near milepost 187.2 on highway 20 west of Picabo is now open year-round. All other portions (including its tributaries) are closed through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, 2025. These portions of the fishery will reopen to fishing on May 24, 2025.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/attention-anglers-spring-fishing-closures-multiple-magic-valley-region-fisheries-are-effect

Bears?!

F&G offers tips to avoid conflicts as bears come out of hibernation this spring

As Idaho’s bears emerge from hibernation, Idaho Fish and Game reminds residents and visitors to be bear aware and take precautions to avoid attracting bears to homes, campsites, and communities.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-offers-tips-avoid-conflicts-bears-come-out-hibernation-spring

Local Fish Stocking Reports

Fish Stocking Forecasts

td {width: 33%; max-width: 33%; } This report highlights the monthly fish stocking schedule. Unless noted, fish listed below are all 10 to 12 inch rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions; dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints. The table below shows schedules for all known forecasted stocking and up to the last month's recent stocking schedules. It may take two weeks for stocking data to appear as Historical stocking information. Your patience is appreciated.

idfg.idaho.gov/d7/fish/stocking/forecasts?rid=3

SPRING CHINOOK DETAILS!

Spring Chinook Fishing Seasons and Rules

idfg.idaho.gov/fish/chinook/rules/spring-run